Press Releases
Council gives go ahead for work on Grade II listed building (PR 1258)
Ealing Council has agreed a £2million programme of urgent works for Hanwell Community Centre.
The well-loved building, which dates back to 1856, is now in a poor state of repair with leaks, rising damp, poor electrics and insufficient fire protection. Last night the Cabinet agreed a programme of works to be carried out to stop the building falling to rack and ruin, plus work to improve disabled access.
The Cabinet also agreed a further £350,000 to be spent on a learning suite, which during the day will be used to train Council staff, but out of working hours will be made available to the community.
The Council will invite contractors to submit tenders to carry out the work this autumn, with work expected to begin in January 2009.
For safety reasons the centre will need to be vacated while some of the repairs are carried out, but contractors will be required to keep the amount of time the building has to be closed to a minimum. The Council is working with Hanwell Community Association and users on how this will be managed.
Council Leader, Councillor Jason Stacey, said: “This historic building, which is much-loved by the local community, has seen decades of neglect. I’m really pleased we’ve been able to step in now to ensure these much-needed repairs are carried out.
“The repairs alone won’t be enough to make the centre fit for purpose. Our next step will be to work with the local community to develop a new vision for the centre to make sure it becomes are real community hub and provides first class facilities for the people of Hanwell for years to come.”
The Cabinet decision is subject to call-in for a period of five working days from the date of publication of the minutes of the meeting.